Regulating degradation of surgical implants

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of an implant that is configured with materials to prevent degradation or corrosion. The implant can comprise an elongate body and a degradation-delaying element disposed thereon, where the degradation-delaying element can be configured to reduce or retard corrosion of the elongate body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/236,287, filed Oct. 2, 2015, and entitled “REGULATING DEGRADATIONOF SURGICAL IMPLANTS,” the content of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Surgical procedures often require an implant to attach tissue or suturesin and/or against a substrate. The substrate may be bone or bonymaterial or soft tissue. A surgeon may use the sutures to capture andretain other objects including tissue. For bone and like bony material,the implant can insert into the bone at a fixation site (e.g., apre-formed hole in the bone or self-made hole that the implant causes toform in the bone). Suture, graft, or tissue will extend from the implantout of the fixation site. Where the substrate is soft tissue, theimplant may reside on a side of the soft tissue so that the sutureextends from the implant, through a hole in the tissue, and furtherbeyond the soft tissue on a side opposite the implant.

SUMMARY

The subject matter of this disclosure relates generally to implants,with particular discussion about improvements to regulate degradation ofimplants that are configured to resorb into the body. These improvementscan preserve the structural integrity of critical parts and features onthe implants for longer periods of time. The improvements can alsoreduce the rate of corrosion (e.g., galvanic corrosion) that may occurto implants that are pre-packaged onto an insertion tool and/or toolingprior to use in a surgical procedure.

Some embodiments of the implant may comprise materials that arebiocompatible with the human tissues (including bony tissues). Suitablematerials may include polymers, polymer blends, polymer composites, andceramics. The embodiments may also comprise magnesium (Mg) and itsalloys (“Mg-alloys”), iron (Fe) and its alloys (“Fe-alloys”), and zinc(Zn) and its alloys (“Zinc-alloys”) because these materials exhibitexceptional biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and biodegradation.In some embodiments, the implant may be configured with bothpolymer-based materials and Mg-based materials, as desired. Theseconfigurations may benefit from assembly of the implant from separatepieces or leverage manufacturing techniques (e.g., machining, injectionmolding, casting, etc.) to allow combinations of pieces that comprisesdifferent types of materials.

Some embodiments may include a degradation-delaying element to managecorrosion of Mg-based materials prior to, during, and after deployment.Examples of this degradation-delaying element can include a coating orfinish that is disposed on all or part of the Mg-based material. Thedegradation-delaying element can comprise materials (e.g., polymers,calcium phosphate, and combinations and derivations thereof) that slowdown corrosion and degradation of the underlying Mg-based materials. Inone implementation, the coating may be deposited onto an area of theimplant. This area may be configured with dimensions (e.g., size,thickness, etc.) to manage corrosion and/or degradation of the implant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter and are therefore not to be considered limitingof its scope, for the disclosed subject matter may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of animplant for use in vivo during surgery;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an example of the implant of FIG. 1that embodies a suture anchor;

FIG. 3 depicts the suture anchor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 depicts the suture anchor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 depicts the suture anchor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 depicts the suture anchor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 depicts the suture anchor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an example of the implant of FIG. 1that embodies one example of an interference screw;

FIG. 9 depicts the interference screw of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 depicts the interference screw of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 depicts the interference screw of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 1 thatembodies another example of an interference screw;

FIG. 13 depicts the interference screw of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of an example of the implant of FIG.1 that embodies a self-drilling suture anchor;

FIG. 15 depicts the self-drilling suture anchor of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 depicts the self-drilling suture anchor of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of an example of the implant of FIG.1 that embodies of an example of a locking suture anchor witharticulating tabs;

FIG. 18 depicts the locking suture anchor with articulating tabs FIG.15;

FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of an example of the implant of FIG.1 that embodies of another example of a locking suture anchor witharticulating tabs

FIG. 20 depicts the locking suture anchor with articulating tabs FIG.19;

FIG. 21 depicts a perspective view of an example of the implant of FIG.1 that embodies a self-punching suture anchor;

FIG. 22 depicts the self-punching suture anchor FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 depicts the self-punching suture anchor FIG. 17;

FIG. 24 depicts the self-punching suture anchor FIG. 17; and

FIG. 25 depicts the self-punching suture anchor FIG. 17.

Where applicable like reference characters designate identical orcorresponding components and units throughout the several views, whichare not to scale unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments disclosedherein may include elements that appear in one or more of the severalviews or in combinations of the several views. Moreover, methods areexemplary only and may be modified by, for example, reordering, adding,removing, and/or altering the individual stages.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

The discussion below describes various embodiments of a device for useto secure sutures to target materials, typically bone and bony material.The embodiments are configured to offer different rates of materialdegradation on the device. In this way, the configurations may keepintact certain critical structure of the implant so as to make thedevice easier to deploy, to promote better engagement with the targetmaterial, or to ensure better retention of the sutures as the deviceresorbs into the target material. Other embodiments are contemplatedwithin the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of animplant 100 that is configured for use in vivo during surgery. Theseconfigurations may be, generally, used in orthapaedic surgery. Examplesinclude suture anchors, nails, pins, interference screws, plates,wedges, and the like. These devices are useful to secure material (e.g.,suture, graft, tissue, etc.) securely on the body and, in oneimplementation, to bone or bony material. The embodiment includes a bodymember 102 with a first end 104, a second end 106, and a longitudinalaxis 108 that extends therebetween. The body member 102 may have one ormore sections (e.g., a first section 110 and a second section 112). Eachof the sections 110, 112 can exhibit a material property for the bodymember 102. This material property may define a rate at which the bodymember 102 degrades and/or breaks down to destroy the structure of thematerial in the sections 110, 112.

Broadly, the implant 100 may be configured to regulate the rate ofdegradation of the body member 102 as between the sections 110, 112.These configurations may utilize materials, coatings, coverings,inserts, or like “elements” in (or as part of) the structure of the bodymember 102. The elements may have structure consistent withmanufacturing processes that use spraying, dipping, and/or otherdeposition techniques to dispose the element onto the body member 102.In some implementations, molding techniques can secure the element tothe body member 102 of the implant 100. Suitable molding techniques caninclude heat staking and overmolding (e.g., single and multi-shot,sequential, etc.). In other implementations, the implant 100 cancomprise an insert of material that is different from the material ofthe body member 102. For example, the body member 102 may compriseMg-alloy and the insert may comprise calcium phosphate. This recitationof processes and techniques is not exhaustive as this disclosurecontemplates many different processes that may be useful to facilitateuse of the elements and/or implants contemplated herein.

The “elements,” as noted above, may be useful to slow corrosion ordegradation of one part of the body member 102 relative to another part.For embodiments of the implant 100 that are meant to resorb into thebody, such variations in the rate of degradation may allow, or direct,corrosion and/or degradation of non-critical portions of the body member102 to occur before critical portions of the body member 102. Thecritical portions may interface with suture material and/or an insertiontool. The critical portions may also include a tip or end of the implant100 that is configured to penetrate, puncture, or engage the human bodyas a surgical site. Often this tip may be configured to elf-punch,self-drill, self-tap to create a anchor site in the target material.Features disposed at these critical portions like threads, protrusions,annular rings, and/or snap features may be useful for this purpose.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate various views of an example of theimplant 100. This example embodies a suture anchor or like fixationdevice. Devices of this type may be useful to fix tendons and ligamentsto bone. In one implementation, the body member 102 forms an elongatecylinder 114 with an outer surface 116 having threads 118 disposedthereon. At the distal end 106, the elongate cylinder 114 can have a tip120. One or more apertures (e.g., a first aperture 122 and a secondaperture 124) may penetrate into the body member 102 to expose a bore126 with an inner surface 128. The bore 126 may extend along at least aportion of the longitudinal axis 108, although it may be useful for thebore 126 to extend through the elongate cylinder 114 to create a hollowor cavernous opening in the device. In one implementation, the bore 126extends from the proximal end 104 and terminates proximate the distalend 106 to form the tip 120. Construction of the bore 126 may allow intothe elongate cylinder 114 to insert or thread suture material into theimplant 100. At the proximal end 104, the bore 126 may configure theimplant 100 to interface with an insertion tool and/or other implementthat facilitates use and deployment of the implant 100 into the humanbody at the surgical site, as desired.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a first configuration that can regulate therate of degradation of the implant 100 of FIG. 2. This firstconfiguration includes a first degradation-delaying element 130 thatforms an interior coverage area that covers at least part of the innersurface 128 of the bore 126. The inner coverage area may at leastpartially circumscribe the longitudinal axis 108. However, full coverageof the bore 126 may benefit the design so as to delay degradation on theinside of the device. As best shown in FIG. 4, the first coverage areamay also cover part of the bore 126 at the proximal end 102. Suchconfigurations may cause the element 130 to extend the length of thedevice along the longitudinal axis 108, for example, from end 102 to end104. In one construction, the first degradation-delaying element 130 mayembody a coating that is disposed on the elongate cylinder 114. Thiscoating may be beneficial to provide full coverage of the inner surface128 of the bore 126. In another construction, the firstdegradation-delaying element 130 may embody a sleeve that inserts intothe bore 126. Other constructions may leverage manufacturing techniques(e.g., molding or casting) that can form the implant 100 from at leasttwo different materials, wherein at least one of these materials coversor forms a portion of the inner surface 128 of the bore 126.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second configuration that can regulate therate of degradation of the implant 100 of FIG. 2. This secondconfiguration includes a second degradation-delaying element 132 thatforms an outer coverage area that covers at least part of the outersurface 116 of the elongate cylinder 114. The implant 100 may includeboth of the elements 130, 132, possibly formed so that at least part ofthe inner coverage area and at least part of the outer coverage area areintegral or monolithic with one another. The outer coverage area may atleast partially circumscribe the longitudinal axis 108. The outercoverage area may also extend along the longitudinal axis 108, coveringat least part of the outer surface 116 and/or the threads 118, althoughboth may not be necessary in some implementations. The outer coveragearea may also cover the outer surface 118 at the tip 120. FIG. 6illustrates an example of the implant 100 in which the outer coveragearea extends longitudinally to cover the elongate cylinder 114 betweenthe ends 104, 106.

FIG. 7 illustrates a third configuration that regulates the rate ofdegradation of the implant 100 of FIG. 2. This third configurationincludes a third degradation-delaying element 134 in the form of one ormore discrete elements 135 that form the outer coverage area and/or theinner coverage area, as desired. The discrete elements 135 may bearranged in a pattern and/or array. In FIG. 7, the discrete elements 135are disposed in spaced relation to one another and circumferentiallyabout the longitudinal axis 108. The discrete elements 136 may becircular, although other shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, ellipse,etc.) may also find use to regulate degradation of the implant 100. Theimplant 100 is configured to receive a suture S. In use, the suture Scan insert into the first end 104 and extend through the aperture 124.This configuration allows the suture S to exit the bore 126 (FIG. 2) sothat a portion of the suture S resides outside of the implant 100 attime of deployment into bony material.

The elements 130, 132, 134 may leverage certain physical properties toregulate the rate of degradation. These physical properties may include,for example, material thickness. In one example, the material thicknesswithin the inner coverage area or the outer coverage area may be uniformor constant, taking into consideration certain manufacturing tolerances.The material thickness may also vary, wherein the material thicknessincreases and/or decreases in accordance with a pattern or gradient. Thepattern may define a discrete increment or “step” that changes thematerial thickness, e.g., from a first thickness to a second thicknessand vice versa. The gradient may define a linear change in the materialthickness or pattern density. Other physical properties may includedimensions for the size and shape of the inner coverage area and theouter coverage area. In one example, these dimensions may correspondwith the shape of the discrete elements 136 (FIG. 7). As noted herein,material configurations may also operate to regulate rate ofdegradation. Exemplary materials, generally, can exhibit a rate ofdegradation that is less than (or slower than) the material of theelongate body (or implant). These materials can include polymers, zinc,iron, calcium phosphate, but other materials that exhibit suitable ratesof degradation may also be useful for this purpose.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate various views of another example ofthe implant 100. This example may embody an interference screw, examplesof which are useful to pinch or wedge suture, graft, or tissue againstthe interior of the anchor site (typically a pre-formed hole or aperturein the bone). The threads 118 can be configured to extend generallyuniformly along the outer surface 116 so that the screw can advance intothe anchor site by turning the device. In FIG. 8, the firstdegradation-delaying element 130 forms the inner coverage area at leastproximate the proximal end 104 of the body member 102. This part of thestructure may be critical to engage with the insertion tool. It may beuseful for the inner coverage area to extend into the bore 126, as notedabove. FIG. 9 shows that the second degradation-delaying element 132 mayform the outer coverage area proximate the proximal end 102 of the bodymember 102. The position of the elements 130, 132 may delay corrosion ofthe body member 102. This feature may slow the rate of degradation atthe interface between the interference screw and an insertion tool (notshown).

FIG. 10 shows the second degradation-delaying element 132 configured sothat the outer coverage area extends longitudinally along the length ofthe interference screw and, where applicable, at least circumferentiallyabout the longitudinal axis 108. The material thickness of the seconddegradation-delaying element 132 may be uniform between the ends 104,106. In other examples, the material thickness may vary between ends104, 106 and/or circumferentially around the axis 108. In FIG. 11, theinterference screw is configured to include the thirddegradation-delaying element 134 with the discrete elements 135 disposedlongitudinally between the threads 118 and radially around thelongitudinal axis 108.

Dimensions for the elements 130, 132 may vary across the variousexamples of the implant 100. These dimensions can impact the “size” ofthe inner coverage area and the outer coverage area as between theinterference screw of FIG. 9 and the suture anchor of FIG. 7. Forexample, the bore 126 on the interference screw may have a diameter thatis smaller than the diameter of the bore 126 on the suture anchor ofFIG. 7. The interference screw may also have an outer diameter that issmaller than the outer diameter of the suture anchor of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate various views of yet another example of theimplant 100. This example also embodies an interference screw. Here, thebody member 102 can incorporate one or more radially-extending apertures133 that expose at least a portion of the bore 126 (FIG. 8). In thisexample, the body member 102 also includes the firstdegradation-delaying element 130, which is disposed on the bore 126,either before or after formation of the radially-extending apertures133. It may be beneficial to include the element 130 as part of apost-manufacture process to allow the element 130 to also cover theinner wall of the radially-extending apertures 133.

The apertures 133 can form openings that are located variously along thelength of the body member 102. These openings can populate the outersurface 116. In one implementation, the body member 102 may have one ormore arrays of the openings. Within the array, the openings may bespaced apart from one another. This spacing can use differentdimensional separation with respect to adjacent apertures 133, asdesired. For example, the dimensional separation may be uniform.However, uniform spacing may not always be necessary or preferred andgive way to different patterning of the openings on the body member 102.Within the array(s) and/or pattern(s), the openings may have uniform ordifferent diameters, depths, and other physical features. As best shownin FIG. 13, one or more of the radially-extending apertures 133 may formopenings that penetrate through body member 102.

Use of the radially-extending apertures 133 may benefit the design andimplementation of the implant 100. The apertures 133 can decrease mass,provide openings for bone growth, enhance physiological fluid/cell flux,increase surface area to improve rates of absorption and bioactivity(e.g., osteoconductivity), and increase rate of ethylene oxidesterilization by increasing the rate at which ethylene oxide diffusespost-sterilization.

FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 illustrate various views of yet another example ofthe implant 100. This example may embody a suture anchor that isconfigured to thread and/or screw into a bony member. At the distal end106, the tip 120 may be configured with one or more defined cuttingedge(s) that come to a point and/or like invasive feature to penetrateinto the bony member. The body member 102 may also include a sutureretaining member 136 on the proximal end 104. The suture retainingmember 136 may be formed integrally with the elongate cylinder 114 or asa separate piece or “insert” that couples to the elongate cylinder 114.As shown in FIG. 14, the second degradation-delaying element 132 mayform the outer coverage area on the suture retaining member 136. Theouter coverage area may also encompass at least part of the elongatecylinder 114, either contiguously with the coverage area on the member136 or as a separate area as contemplated herein. FIG. 15 shows thesecond coverage area incorporating both the cylinder 114 and the member136. In one example, the material thickness of the seconddegradation-delaying element 132 may vary as between the ends 104, 106and also as between the cylinder 114 and the suture retaining member136. For example, the material thickness may decrease from the distalend 106 to the proximal end 104.

FIG. 16 shows a construction for the suture retaining member 136. Thisconstruction includes one or more portions (e.g., a first or eyeletportion 138 and a second or stiffening portion 140). The eyelet portion138 may be configured with an aperture 141 to allow suture material topenetrate through the suture retaining member 136. The stiffeningportion 140 can extend into the elongate cylinder 114. In use, themember 136 may comprise Mg-alloy to provide mechanical stiffness andrigidity to the polymer construction of the elongate cylinder 114. Usingthe second degradation-delaying element 132 to cover the exposedportions of the eyelet portion 138 can inhibit and/or decrease galvaniccorrosion at the interface with an insertion tool (not shown).

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate various views of an example of the implant100. This example embodies a suture anchor. The suture anchor is shownas part of an insertion system 142 with an insertion tool 144. In oneimplementation, the suture anchor includes one more tab members 145. Theinsertion tool 144 can couple with the suture anchor to place and securesuture material S in the body, preferably by deploying the tab members145 to engage bony material at a surgical site. In one example, thesecond degradation-delaying element 132 forms the outer coverage area onthe elongate cylinder 114.

In FIG. 18, a fourth degradation-delaying element 146 may form a toolcoverage area on at least part of the insertion tool 144. The implant100 may include the first degradation-delaying element 130 to form theinterior coverage area on the elongate cylinder 114. In use, theinsertion tool 144 can insert into a position in the bore 126. Thisposition can locate the tool coverage area in contact with the interiorcoverage area to reduce and/or retard galvanic corrosion of the elongatecylinder 114 prior to deployment of the suture anchor during surgery.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate various views of an example of the implant100. This example also embodies a suture anchor. Here, the body member102 includes the radially-extending apertures 133. As best shown in FIG.20, the radially-extending apertures 133 can vary in size (e.g.,diameter). This example utilizes apertures 133 with diameters thatincrease longitudinally from the distal end 104 to the proximal end 106.

FIGS. 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 illustrate various views of still anotherexample of the implant 100. This example embodies a self-punching anchoror anchor system. In this example, the body member 102 may include aplurality of parts (e.g., a first part 148 and a second part 150). Thefirst part 148 can embody a punching member 152 with the tip 120. Thesecond part 150 can form a threaded body 154 with the outer surface 116and threads 118 disposed thereon. The system 142 may also include athreader 156. In use, an end user can employ the threader 156 to pullthe suture S into the punching member 152 (FIGS. 21, 22, and 23). One ormore of the insertion tool 144, the first part 148, the second part 150,and the threader 156 may deploy the degradation-delaying elements asnoted herein.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show the insertion system 144 in position at a surgicalsite 158 on a bony member 160. The surgical site 158 is prepared with asuture hole 162, typically a bore that enters the bony member 160. Inone implementation, the bore may penetrate through the bony member 160to allow suture S to extend out of suture hole 162. The surgeon canlocate the tip 120 of the puncturing member 152 proximate the suturehole 162. By applying a driving force to the insertion tool 144, thesurgeon can drive the puncturing member 152 into the bony member 160.The surgeon can also thread the threaded body 154 into the resultinghole to secure the suture S in the bony member 160. In use, a surgicalprocedure can include stages for deploying a surgical implant having anelongate, cylindrical body and a degradation-delaying element disposedthereon, wherein the degradation-delaying element has a rate ofdegradation that is less than the rate of degradation of material of thesurgical implant.

All the embodiments and processes described above may be altered withinthe scope of the present invention to accommodate different size andstrength requirements based on the variables provided above.

As used herein, an element or function recited in the singular andproceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as notexcluding plural said elements or functions, unless such exclusion isexplicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of theclaimed invention should not be interpreted as excluding the existenceof additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

This written description uses examples to disclose the subject matter,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the subject matter, including making and using anydevices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. Thepatentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and mayinclude other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Suchother examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if theyhave structural elements that do not differ from the literal language ofthe claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements withinsubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

In light of the foregoing discussion, the improvements herein canmaintain structure of implants that is critical to ensure that suture,graft, or tissue is secure to bone and bony material. The degradationelements can be used to modify the rate of degradation of the body asbetween different parts of the device. This feature is beneficial toavoid, for example, galvanic corrosion (and like corrosive phenomenon)that may alter the structure of implants as packaged or after theimplant deploys into the target material at the anchor site. In thisregard, the examples below include certain elements or clauses one ormore of which may be combined with other elements and clauses describeembodiments contemplated within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An implant comprising: an elongate body with anouter surface and a bore forming an inner surface; and adegradation-delaying element disposed on the elongate body, wherein thedegradation-delaying element is configured to retard corrosion of anarea of the elongate body.
 2. The implant of claim 1, wherein thedegradation-delaying element covers at least part of the bore.
 3. Theimplant of claim 1, wherein the degradation-delaying element furthercovers at least part of the outer surface of the body member.
 4. Theimplant of claim 1, wherein the degradation-delaying element forms aplurality of discrete elements, each spaced apart from one another onthe outer surface of the elongate body.
 5. The implant of claim 4,wherein the plurality of discrete elements are disposed in an array, thearray extending longitudinally and radially about the outer surface ofthe elongate body.
 6. The implant of claim 1, further comprising aradially-extending aperture that penetrates the elongate body to exposethe bore.
 7. The implant of claim 6, wherein the degradation-delayingelement is disposed on a surface of the radially-extending aperture. 8.The implant of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is configured for usein orthapaedic procedures.
 9. The implant of claim 1, wherein theelongate body has threads on the outer surface.
 10. The implant of claim1, wherein the elongate body has a tip configured to self-form a hole inbone.
 11. A method, comprising: on a surgical implant: forming adegradation-delaying element on the surgical implant, thedegradation-delaying element having a rate of degradation that is lessthan the rate of degradation of material of the surgical implant. 12.The method of claim 11, further comprising: using thedegradation-delaying element to cover at least part of an outer surfacearea of the surgical implant.
 13. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: using the degradation-delaying element to cover at leastpart of an inner surface area formed by a bore of the surgical implant.14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: disposing a coating onthe surgical implant, wherein the degradation-delaying element comprisesthe coating.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: disposingan insert in a bore on the surgical implant, wherein thedegradation-delaying element comprises the member.
 16. A surgical kit,comprising: an insertion tool; a surgical implant disposed on theinsertion tool, the surgical implant having a body that can communicatewith the insertion tool; and a degradation-delaying element disposedbetween the body and the insertion tool, the degradation-delayingelement having material properties that are different from materialproperties of the body and the insertion tool so as to have a rate ofdegradation that is less than the rate of degradation of both theinsertion tool and the body.
 17. The surgical kit of claim 16, whereinthe degradation-delaying element is disposed on the body of the surgicalimplant.
 18. The surgical kit of claim 16, wherein thedegradation-delaying element is disposed on the insertion tool.
 19. Thesurgical kit of claim 16, wherein the body of the surgical implantcomprises a bore with an opening to receive the insertion tool, andwherein the degradation-delaying element is disposed at the opening. 20.The surgical kit of claim 16, wherein the degradation-delaying elementforms a plurality of discrete elements disposed in an array, the arraydisposed about an outer surface of the body of the surgical implant.